Cristiano Ronaldo’s Strict Diet Revealed: What Keeps the 41-Year-Old Soccer Star Fit for His Last World Cup?

Translation result. ▲ Source| France ‘RMC Sport’

[SPOTV News=Park Dae-hyun] Cristiano Ronaldo (41, Portugal), who is preparing for his sixth World Cup, has had his ultra-strict diet revealed.

On the 25th (KST), French outlet RMC Sport published an interview with Giorgio Barone, the chef who once managed Ronaldo’s meals, saying Ronaldo’s meticulous self-discipline has drawn attention ahead of what could be the final World Cup of his career.

Born in February 1985, Ronaldo is gearing up for what may be his last World Cup.

After ending his European career with Manchester United in 2022, he has been playing for Saudi Arabia’s powerhouse Al Nassr since 2023.

Since making his professional debut with Sporting CP (Portugal) in 2002, Ronaldo has earned enormous respect across generations for 25 years of consistent scoring, outstanding fitness, and remarkably few absences.

Barone, who oversaw Ronaldo’s diet during his Juventus years (2018–2021), told North American sports site Covers that “his self-discipline is truly unmatched,” expressing clear admiration.

“I’ve worked with many players, even World Cup winners, and they sometimes stray. Ronaldo never does. I’ve never seen a player that strict,” he added.

According to Barone, Ronaldo is a perfectionist about food and tolerates no slip-ups.

He made it clear the phrase “cheat day” has no place in Ronaldo’s weekly meal plan.

“Ronaldo never eats fast food — not even on vacation. He doesn’t consume sugar at all, not even in coffee. He calls sugar a poison and rejects it outright,” Barone said, praising the Portuguese forward’s uncompromising approach.

▲ Cristiano Ronaldo’s ultra-strict diet has been revealed as he prepares for his sixth World Cup. Giorgio Barone, who handled Ronaldo’s meals during the Juventus years, said Ronaldo never eats fast food — not even on vacation. He avoids sugar completely, not even in coffee, calling it a poison. Barone praised the Portuguese forward’s uncompromising nature.

Barone rejected the idea that pro players need “special” or exotic foods to perform.

“Players eat simple, healthy, high-quality meals. That’s it,” he said, urging a focus on balanced everyday dishes rather than tonic or restorative gimmicks.

Barone also noted Ronaldo avoids pitfalls many players fall into.

“A lot of players stay up late playing PlayStation and staying awake — that habit can ruin a career,” he said. “Ronaldo doesn’t live like that. Staying up late increases late-night cravings, which lead to poor food choices.”

“Once I visited the home of a well-known star player and saw several empty fast-food bags,” he recalled. “I told him: if you want to eat like that, put a clause in your contract so the club won’t penalize you for weight gain or a drop in condition. No matter how well I managed a diet, you can’t stop weight gain if you eat like that every night.”

▲ Erling Haaland, the Premier League’s top striker often hailed as a ‘post-Ronaldo’ figure, has also drawn attention for his diet. Haaland is known for a beef-heavy regimen; last year’s documentary The Big Decision even showed him carrying a cow’s heart and liver. ⓒ Britain ‘Football 365’

Erling Haaland (26, Manchester City), often mentioned as a potential “post-Ronaldo” figure, has also put his diet in the spotlight.

Haaland is known for a meat-heavy plan; last year’s documentary The Big Decision even showed him carrying a cow’s heart and liver.

Barone said he’s not surprised by that.

“Beef liver, heart, even brain — these are excellent foods. They’re superfoods. Ronaldo liked beef liver. I do, too,” he said.

“Ronaldo favored salmon or lean cod, fresh spinach, lemon, premium olive oil, and black rice,” Barone added. “But people should remember one key point: digestion and muscle makeup vary from person to person. Eating the same foods as a star won’t make you a star. Following Ronaldo’s diet won’t automatically turn you into a Portugal national-team forward at the upcoming World Cup in North America.”

▲ Giorgio Barone, a well-known personal chef in Italian sports, said Ronaldo never falls into traps most players do. “Many players stay up late playing PlayStation, which ruins careers,” he said. “Ronaldo doesn’t live like that. Staying up late fuels late-night cravings and leads to bad food choices.”